SOVIET

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1923, Page 3

SOVIET

AN ECONOMIC Oil ISIS. [‘•Trii: Timms” Smivicn.'! Tv: reived this day at Id a.niA LONDON, Nov. is. The ••Time'" Riga oorrespimdent states Soviet lUlssia i- laird with an acute economic crisis. 'I he immediate problems confronting the Soviet are wide, eommereial and imlii'trial entorp,i.e''. having to find means to the workmen. The prnductoii ef rao.»ri<-. though 'inall. i< greater ilian the demand. Manufaeinrers I’.uve not v-,ld because the impoverished and intolerably taxed peasants and townspeotile arc unable to purchase, even necessaries. Only a lev.. new rich foreigners are buying Soviet products, die prices whereol, though below cost of production, are mostly higher than similar products ol other countries. This week tlie Soviet stores reduced prices from ten to lift cell per cent. Even this is not suflieient to bring the much needed articles within the reach of the masses. I Notwithstanding the financial crisis, the Government continues to expend great sums in the acquisition ot areoplanes. During September and October it. received 17i<> new planes from abroad, some from Great Britain and others from Germany and Holland. Some were delivered complete, an 1 others in parts for assembling in Bussin. Most of them were delivered at Petrngrad. Practically all are new machines, and will be stationed on the western frontier, whilst the oldest will hi' sent to Siberia and bar Eastern frontiers. The ■■ Investia " points out that the new planes are called ■•ultimatum detachments." to commemorate laird Gur/on's ten days' ultimatum sent to Russia last May. Then Russia. for tactical reasons, was forced to retreat. She is now giving her real reply by acquiring planes to answer every ultimatum from her enemies, whose hopes are shattered against the invincible steel will of Russia's proletariat.